St Kilda copped two heavy blows on Tuesday that will certainly test their defensive depth for the start of the 2024 season.
Key back Dougal Howard has been ruled out for around a month with a hamstring injury suffered in Sunday’s Community Series win over North Melbourne.
Add to that the heavy seven-match suspension Jimmy Webster received for his head-high hit on North captain Jy Simpkin and there are some issues down back for Ross Lyon ahead of their Round 1 clash with Geelong.
Back-to-back best and fairest Jack Sinclair, who has previously starred as a rebounding half-back, continues to battle a calf injury while Marcus Windhager, who is a defensive option, is in doubt after breaking a bone in his hand against Essendon in the first practice match.
AFL greats Tim Watson and Garry Lyon pondered the defensive predicament the Saints find themselves in just 10 days out from their opening match against the Cats.
“In a playing sense with St Kilda, they’re going to be without him (Webster),” Watson said on SEN Breakfast.
“Howard is not going to be available, there’s some doubt over Sinclair, and Windhager has played a little bit down back as well and might not be available either.
“They’ve got some real questions to answer at selection.”
Lyon added: “A lot of clubs have coming into this first round.
“There have been some injuries that are really going to compromise the way they set up.
“This is about depth more than anything else. That’s why having a list of 28 to 30 players who are all capable of playing senior footy is so important.
“It’s so rare to have anyone that’s going to be able to play through the season.”
Webster’s unavailability has been compounded by the fact that Ben Paton, who plays as a small lockdown, won’t be seen for at least three month with a ruptured pectoral muscle.
The Saints did recruit delisted Port Adelaide backman Riley Bonner in the off-season and he has impressed in two practice matches, but is seen as a rebounder rather than a lockdown. Emerging youngster Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera is the class and creativity off half-back and Lyon will want to use him in that role.
Lyon has Callum Wilkie as his number one defender with Zaine Cordy expected to replace Howard in a key position. Liam Stocker can play the medium-sized lockdown role
Josh Battle (knee) could return to alleviate some of the pain in defence.
The Saints lined up against the Kangaroos with a back six of Webster, Howard, Wilkie, Stocker, Bonner and Wanganeen-Milera, but it will likely look a bit different when they meet the Cats at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday, March 16.
